Reducing valve



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. J. FAUSEK ET AL REDUCING VALVE Filed June 24, 192,6

- Nov. 1 3, 1928.

Nov; 13, 192s. 1,691,758

' A. J. FAUSEK ETAL REDUCING vALvE Filed June 24, 1926 2 Sheets-'sheet 2 .0m-Hue J .Fm/55K, lkw/N6 F. FA (156K.

59 Mmm/W@ Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES r e 1,591,758 Arent oFF-ics.v

ARTHUR J', FAUSEK AND IRWING F. FAUSEK, GF STQLOUIS, MISSOURI;

Application filed June 24,

Ourinvention relates generally to improvelfr'ients in reducing valves, and, more specifically, to a reducing valve of the type having a diaphragm for regulating the flow of fluid under pressure through'said reducing valve, an important object of the invention being to produce a reducing valve of the type described within which a highly flexible diaphragm, such, for instance, as one formed of rubber, may be used.

In most reducing valves provided with metallic diaphragms and which include valveoperating elements attached to and movable with'said diaphragms, the diaphragme constitute guiding` elements for said valve-operating elements. ln other words, because the diaphragms are more or less rigid in a direction transversely thereof, the valve-operating elements are maintained in proper alinement within the reducing valves by said diaphragms. It is apparent, however, when highly flexible diaphragme, such as rubber diaphragms having fabric insertions, are employed, that said diaphragms do not possess sufficient rigidity in a direction transversely thereof to act as a guiding element for the valve-operating element, and in'vieiv of this fact, we have devised the reducing` valve disclosed herein which, briefly stated, includes a diaphragm to which is attacheda valve-operating element. The valve-operating element is provided with guiding means below the valve seat, as is common in reducing valves of the type disclosed, and in addition to these guiding means, our improved reducing valve is provided with guiding means immediately adjacent to the diaphragm. It is obvious in view of this arrangement that the valve-operating element is positively and accurately guided apart from the diaphragm` thus eliminating the necessity for the diaphragm acting as a guiding element for the valve-operating element. v

If it were only necessary to arrange a second guiding means adjacent to the diaphragm to permit the use of highly flexible diaphragme in reducing valves of the type disclosed herein, the solution of the problem would loe rather simple. but another element which complicates the problem arises from the fact that rubber diaphragme are often weak in spots or are inaccurately arranged in place within the reducingvalve. The result of either of theseV conditions is that the diaphragms are not capable of being deflected uniformly throughout. Hence, av

slight REnUorNG VALVE.

1926. serial-uo 118,190.

transverse movement` is imparted tothe diaphragms when same arefiexed. It is apparent in view of tlie'foregoing that if the valveoperating element kwere mounted in upper and lower guiding members, and also if said valve-operating element were securely fixed to the diaphragm, said diaphragm would be severely strained when transverse movement was imparted thereto, and to eliminate the likelihood of the diaphragm being strained,

we connect the valve-operating element to the diaphragm in a manner to permit transverse movement of the diaphragm with respect to said valve-operating element. In this Inanner, the'diaphragm will impart `longitudinal movement to the valve-operating element to operate` the valve; but if, because of imperfections of manufacture of the diaphragm or inaccurate Yassembling of same within the reducing valve, said diaphragm is caused to move transversely when flexed, this movement may take place freely Without being retarded by the valve-operating element. y Another important object of our invention is to provide means whereby the moisture deposited within the reducing valve by the gases passing therethrough willrnot'vfreeze in low temperatures. i Y Y Still another object of the invention is to so construct a reducing valve that the intense heat usually present at the valve seat due to the compression of the gases isl greatly reduced. f i Figure lis a vertical section of our improved reducing valve;

Figure 2 isa vertical section on line 2-2 ofFigurel; d Y

Figure 3 is anenlarged fra-gmentaryseetion showing the manner of attaching the valve-operating elementy of our improved reducing valve tothe diaphragm thereof;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectionon approximately the same scale as Figure 3 and taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 3 ;l Figure 5 is Van enlarged horizontal fragmentary section showing the means for preventing freezing of the reducing valve;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section of a modified form of our invention wherein a metallic diaphragm of the bellows type` is shown; i

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical section means for preventing freezing ofthe reducing valve.

In the drawings, A designates the housing of our improved valve which is provided with a diaphragm chamber 1. The lower portion of the cavity within the valve housing A constitutes a valve chamber 2 and,as seen in Figure 2, `said diaphragm chamber and said valve chamber are in direct communication with each other. Secured to thevalve housing A at a point immediately above the diaphragm chamber 1 is a diaphragm cover 3A which is provided with an upwardly extending hollow portion 4 and is secured by means of bolts orsimilarfastening devices 5 to the housing A. Formed in the top wall of the upwardly extending portion 4 of the diaphragm cover is an internally-threaded opening 6 which is intended, for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. 7 designates a cap having an externally-threaded portion v7 which is screwed into the valve chamber 2, said cap functioning as a closure member for the lower end of said valve chamber. Arranged transversely of the cavity wit-hin the housing A at a point immediatelygbelow the diaphragm chamber 1 isa Abridge member 8. The-bridge member 8 is not a solid `wall separating the diaphragm chamber 1 from the valve chamber 3, as mightappear from Figure 1but is an integral bar the side faces of which are spaced apart from the wall of the housing. soas to provide a spaceron either side of said bridge member 8 (Figure 2).

H designates a high ,pressure conducting member screwed into a socket 9y and communicating with an inlet passageway 10 formed in the bridge m ember8. A valve seat member 11 screwed into the bridge member 8 is provided with a passageway 12 which forms a continuation of the inlet passageway 10 leading to .the valve chamber 2.

A lowpressure conducting pipe L-communicates with a discharge passageway 13 formed in the wall of the housing'A, said discharge passageway being arranged in cornmunication with the diaphragm chamber 1.

v14 designates a diaphragm arranged in the diaphragm chamber 1, said diaphragm being preferably formed of a highlyl flexible material, such, for instance, as rubber, and being arranged to rest upon an annular flange 15 at the top face of the valve housing A. An

annular portion14 of the diaphragm 14Vextends upwardly Vand inwardly from the marginal'portion of said diaphragm, and the portion of lsaid diaphragm within said annular portion 14 is preferably bowed upwardly, as shown clearly in Figure 1. .Located between the marginal portion of the diaphragm 14 and the portion of the valve 14a designates a member provided with a i threaded shank-14b which is extended through an aperture in the diaphragm 14 and through a similaraperture in `the lower wall of a spring seat 1.4C arranged in Contact with the top face of the diaphragm, as shown clearly in Figure 4. The member 14a includes a disk portion 14d which contacts with the lower face ofthe diaphragm, and 14e designates'a nut whichis screwed on the threaded shank 14b of the member 14a and Vcontacts with the top face of the lower wall of the spring seat 14. It is apparent in view of the arrangement just described that the member 14a is rigidly fixed to the diaphragm and will move therewith. 14E designates a lug preferably formed integral with the member 14a, which lug extends downwardly from the disk portion 14d thereof.

C designates a closure member which is. ar-` ranged partly within the valve chamber 2 and y partly within the diaphragm chamber 1, said closure member preferably comprising aU- shaped member 18 which straddles the bridge member 8 (Figure The U-'shaped meinber 18 isprovided at its upper end with a pair of upwardly extended ears 19 between which the lug 14t of the member 142l extends, said lug 14f and said ears 19 beinglprovided with apertures through Vwhich a bolt 19V is passed. ByV referring to Figures 1 and 4, itwill be like portion 19") at the approximate center thereof, said ball-like portion being located within and movable longitudinally of an elongated aperture in the lug 14f ofthe member 14, and said ball-like portion `being of approximately the same diameter as the aperture in said lug.V It will also be noted by referring to Figurel that the space between the ears 19 vis slightly greater than the width of the lug 14?. and also the aperturesin the ears 19 through which the bolt19 passes Vare approximately circular inshape and of approxiinately the same diameter as the bolt 19. In view of theV construction just described, it is plain that the iug 14t is capable ofwhat practically amounts to universal movement with respect to the bifurcated upper portie-11l of the U-shaped member 18, and, therefore, if for any reason transverse movement is iinparted to the diaphragm when said diaphragm is iiexed, the joint between the dianotedthat the bolt 19 is provided with a ball" r phragm and the U-shaped member 18 will in no wise tend to prevent said movement.

To provide means for guiding the upper portion of the U-shaped member 18, I pi'ovide the bridge member 8 with an upwardly extended rigidly iiXed guiding member 8n which extends through an aperture 8b in the upper wall of the U-shaped member 18, as shown in Figure 3.

The closure member C is provided withV a head 24 at the lower end of the U-shaped member 18, said head being located between the upturned legs of a U-shaped member 25. The legs of the U'sliaped member 25 are each provided with a rectangular depression 26 into which one ot' the legs ot the U-shaped member 18 extends, and said U-shaped membei 25 and said head 24 are secured to the U- shaped member 18 by means of a bolt 27 which passes through the legs of said U- shaped members 18 and 25 and through said head 24. vFrom the foregoing, it is apparent that the U-shaped member 25 and head 24 are very securely iiXed to the U-shaped member' 18, the bolt 27 preventing vertical movement or' said U-shaped member 25 and head 24, and because the side walls of the` depression 26 are in contact with the edges of the legs of the U-sliaped member 18, said member 25 and head 24 will be prevented from rotating about said bolt.

The head 24 is very frequently thrown into engagement with the valve seat 11, and this head is also subjected to the action oi" the iiuid under high pressure escaping from said member 11. Consequently, the portion of the head which engages the valve seat member soon becomes worn or mutilated. To avoid the necessity of renewing and refinishing the head 24.` it is preferably provided with a plurality of seats 28 any one of which may be arranged in position to close the valve seat member 11. In adjusting the head 24, the cap 7 is removed :trom the valve housing and the bolt 27 is withdrawn from its position. This will permit the U-shaped member 25 to be withdrawn from between the legs of the U- shaped member 18 and the head 24 may then be turned to the desired position after which the parts are reassembled.

Arranged within the portion 4 of the diaphragm cover 3 is a. conical coil spring 29, said coil spring being interposed between the spring seat 14, retained in place on the diaphragm by means of the nut 14e on the threaded shank 14b of the member 14,'and a spring seat 31 at the upper end ofcsaid spring. Arranged within the internally-threaded opening 6 in the top wall or the diaphragm cover 3 is a hand-operated screw 32, the lower end of which contacts with the spring seat 31.v

The lower end of the U-shaped member 25 is provided with an extension 33 which pro-v jects into a recess formed in the cap 7. The extension 33 is capable of moving longitudinally of the recessin the cap, and because the diameters of the extension 33 and the recess are approximately the same, said extension will function as aguiding element for guiding the vlower end of the closure C. InterposedV between the bottom wall of the U'- shaped member 25 and the bottom wall of the 'cap 7 is a coil spring 34. Y

The spring 29 tends to force the head 24 away from theV valve seat member 11, and the fluid pressure `in the diaphragm chamber acting against the diaphragm tends to force said head into engagement with said valve seat member. Fluid passing from the high pressure member H flows through the inlet passageway 1() through the ported. valve seat member 11 and into the valvev chamber 2 from which it escapes to the diaphragm chamber by passing upwardly on either side of the bridge member 8.y The iiuid escapes from the diaphragm chamber through the discharge passageway 13 which communicates with the low pressure pipe L. When the pressure in the diaphragm chamber rises to a predetermined degree, the diaphragm is deflected, with'the result ofcompressing the spring 29 and moving the head 24 into engagement with the flat bottom face of the ported valve seat member 11. This closes communication between the inlet'and discharge passageways, and when the pressure drops to a predetermined degree, the head 24 recedes in 'response to the pressure of the spring 29. The pressure of the spring' 29 is opposed by the lfluid.

pressure on the diaphragm and the headreciprocates in response to these counter-acting' pressures, so that the pressure in the low pressure pipe is maintained ata *predetermined degree. The downward movement ot'.

the head 24 is resisted bythe light spring 34 which servesA as a shock-absorber and insures Contact betweenV the head'24 and the valve seat member 11 when the pressure of is radically different from the arrangement of these passageways in other reducing valves oi the type'disclosed hereiii'heretotore produced. Formerly, the inlet passageway terminated at the passageway inthe valve seat member so that gases flowed into and through the passageway in :the valve seat membcrwithout 'changing =its direction ot How. The result ot' this arrangement was that intense heat was generated at the valve the drawiiigs,A

lll)

seat, due to compression of the gases, and this intense heat was found to have an injurious Yeffect on the valveseats. By extending the linlet passageway 1() beyond the passageway 40 designates a cavity formed through the wall of the valve housing and extended into the bridge member' 8 (Figures 1 and 5). This cavity is provided with a threaded opening into which the threaded extension 41 of an approximately T-shaped member 42 is screwed. The Tesliaped member 42 is provided with afluid passageway 43 and a fluid passageway 44, both of which are open at the inner end of the threaded 'extension of the T-shaped member, as shown in Figure 5. Screwed into'anenlarged threaded opening in communication with the fluid passageway 43 is an inlet pipe 45, and screwed into an enlarged threaded opening in communication with the fluid passageway 44 is an outlet pipe 46. It'will be noted by referring to'Figure 5 that the vthreaded extensionl of the T-shaped member 42 is provided with a reduced portion 47 through which the Huid passageway Y' 43 passes, and the inner faceiof the reduced portion is spaced apart from the inner wall Y of the cavity 40.

Itl has been found inthe operation of reducing valves of the type disclosed herein LVthat moisture deposited in the valve housing by the gases will frequently freeze in low temperatures, this freezing action usually taking place close to the inner end of the inlet passageway 10. vIn view of this fact, we have devised the arrangement just described which permits ofvhot fluid, such as steam, wat-er, or hot air, being passed through the inlet pipe 45 and passageway 43 into the cavity 40 and out of said cavity through the passa-ge-r way 44 and outlet pipe 46. In this manner, hot fluid may be caused to circulate through the cavity 40 whereby the parts ofthe valve housing adjacent to said cavity will be4 heated sufficiently to prevent freezing of the moisture within the valve housing.

Figure (Svillustrates a modified form` of our V`invention wherein ay metallic diaphragm 50 Y of the bellows type isj'employed instead of a highly flexible diaphragm formed of rubber or similar materialy as in the preferred form ofthe invention. It has been found-in connection with the use of a bellows diaphragm that there isoften a tendency for the diaphragm to move transversely when flexed,

be moved out'of its propel' alinement, .thus

affecting the efliciency of the valve. IVe

n 'herefore provide our reducing valve, when it is provided with a bellows diaphragm, with an upper guide memberl which is located immediately beneath the diaphragm, whereby the upper end portion of the closure member positively gui-ded. Also, the means for attaching the bellows diaphragm 50 to the closure member C is lthe same as the means empoyed for attaching the diaphragm shown` in the preferred construction illustrated in Figure 1 to the closure member C in said view. In accordance with the arrangement snown in Figure 6, the closure member Vis positively guided at its upper end apart from any support which the diaphragm may proyvide, and because of the loose'joint between the diaphragm and the closure member, the diaphragm may move transversely a slight distance with respect to the upper end of the closure member.

In Figure 7, we illustrate another ymodified form of our invention wherein a pair of spaced-apart diaphragmsV 52 and 53 are employed. Interposed between the diaphragins 52 and 53 is a body of suitable liquid 54. In the operation of a reducing valve constructed as shown in Figure 7,1novement impartedto the diaphragm 52V by the gases 'will beimparted by the body of liquid to the diaphragm 53 and movement imparted to the diaphragm 53 by the coil spring 29 will be imparted to the diaphragm 52 by the body of liquid. In connection wi th, the construction shown in Figure 7, we find that there is a tendency for the diaphragms to move transversely a slight distance due to imperfections therein or because of inaccurate assembling of the diaphragms within the valve housing, and we therefore connect the closure member 55 to the diaphragm r52 by means of the same loose joint vwhich has already been fully described in 'connection with the preferred construction of the invention. Y Y

In Figure 8, we illustrate a modified forni of the means for preventing freezing of mois'- ture within our reducing' valve. Inr this form of the means referred to, we provide the wall of the valve housing 56 and the bridge me nber 57 with a cavity 53 into which a member 59 formed of suitable lieat-condnctincterial is secured. Vr-im'anged about a A i of the member 59 is an electrical resistance coil 60. In the operation of the means shown in Figure 8, the passage of electrical ener through the coil (50 will cause then'iember 59 to be heated, and because this member 59 is in ldirect contact with the wall of the valve housingl and with the bridge member, the heat will be transmitted to these parts, thus preventing freezing of moisture within the valve housing.

iis

. By referring to thelower portions of Figures l and 2, it will be noted that the upper and lower ends ot the coil spring Stare not in vertical alinement with each other, This arrangement has the eilect of forcing the extension 33 firmly against one side ot' the recess in which said extension is arranged, whereby chattering of the valve is prevented.

We claim:

l. AV reducing valve comprising a housing having inlet and discharge passageways, a diaphragm arranged within said housing, a closure member adapted to close communication between said inlet and discharge passageways, and a loose connection between said diaphragm and said closure member, said loose connection comprising an element extended from said diaphragm, an element extended from said closure member and a. bolt having an approximately spherical portion extended through apertures in said elements, said spherical portion ot said bolt being located within the aperture in one of said elements and being adapted toA permit said element to move universally with respect to the associated element.

2. A reducing valve comprising a housing having inlet and discharge passageways, a diaphragm secured within said housing, a closure member adapted to elos'e communicavtion between said inlet and discharge passageways, and a loose connection between said diaphragm and said closure member, said loose connection between said diaphragm and said closure member comprising a pair of spaced lugs on one of said elements, a lug on the associated element and a bolt extended through apertures in said lugs, said bolt being provided with a spherical portion which is located within'the aperture in one ot said lugs, whereby said lug may move universally with respect to the associated lugs.

3. A reducing valve comprising a housing having inlet and discharge passageways, a diaphragm arranged within saidhousing, a closure member adapted to close communication between said inlet and discharge passageways, and a. loose connection between said diaphragm and said closure member, said loose connection comprising a pair of spaced lugs on said closure member, a lug on said diaphragm arranged between said spaced lugs and a bolt extended through apertures in said lugs, the lug on said diaphragm being of substantially less width than the space between the spaced lugs and said bolt being provided wit-h a spherical portion which is located within the aperture in the lug on said diaphragm, whereby the last mentioned lug may move universally with respect to the associated lugs.

4. A reducing valve comprising a housing having inlet and discharge passageways, a diaphragm arranged within said housing, a

Closure member adapted to close communicationbetween saidinlet and discharge pas sageways, and a loose connection between said diaphragm, and said closure member, said loose' connection comprising a pair of yspaced lugs on said closure member, a lug on said diaphragm located betweenl said spaced lugs 'anda bolt extended through apertures in said lugs to connect same .together, said bolt having' a spherical portion and the aperture in the lug on the diaphragm beingY elongated and beingadapted'to receive Vsaid spherical portion of said bolt, said lug on said diaphragm being of substantially less width than the space between said spaced lugs, whereby the lug on said diaphragm may move universally with respect to said spaced lugs.

o. A ieducing valve comprising a housing having iniet and discharge passageways, a diaphragm arranged within said housing, a closure member adapted to close communicationbetween said inlet and discharge passageways, a guiding member movable with said Y closure member and arranged to slide within a recess, and a'coil spring surrounding said guiding member and in contact with said closure member, said coil spring being arranged atan angle to the longitudinal axis of said guiding member, whereby said guiding member is forced firmly against the wall ot the recess at one side of said recess. n

6. A reducing valve comprising a housing having inlet and discharge passageways, a

diaphragm arranged lwithin said housing, a.

closure member adapted to close communication between said inlet and discharge passageways, a loose connection between said diaphragm and said closure member, said loose Vconnection comprising an element extended from said diaphragm, an elementextended from said 'closure member and a bolt having A an approximately'spherical portion extended Vhaving inlet and discharge passageway's, a

diaphragm arranged within said housing, a closure member adapted to close communication between said inlet and discharge passageways, a guiding member movable with said closure member, a member arranged in telescopic relation with said guiding member, and a coil spring surrounding said guiding member and in contact with said closure member,

said coil spring being arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis oi said guiding member,

whereby said guiding Vmember is forced irm- 6 igeei'fnsis ly into contact with the telescopic member asof moisture therein, said means including sociated therewith. l cavity in said bridge member immediately 8j. A reducingvalve comprising a housing jacent to a portion of said inlet passageway,

Y having inlet and discharge passageways, and a conductor for the heat-producing medi- 5 means adapted to close communication beum extended into said cav-ity. V V15A tween said inlet and discharge passageways, a In testimony whereof,r We have hereunto set bridge member within said housing in'vvhich our hands. f said inlet passageway is arranged, and means Y, i ,wherebyl a heatprodu'cing medium may be ARTHUR J. FAUSEK. '10 passed into said iousing to prevent freezing IRWING F. FAUSEK. 

